Untimely rain dampens Baisakhi celebration for Indian farmers

 

 

The wrath of untimely rain and hailstorm which destroyed the dream of bumper harvest in entire North India, is likely to continue as more rain is expected over the approaching weekend including 11^th – 13^th April as western disturbance is rapidly approaching Jammu and Kashmir. The number of farmers’ suicides and loss of output are increasing by the day, leaving no stone unturned for a dull Baisakhi this year.

According to Agriculture ministry, unseasonal rains and hailstorms have damaged rabi (winter-sown) crops in about 113 lakh hectares of crop area in the country. Besides ruining the key harvest season (March –April) for Indian farmers, rain and hail have dampened the mood of Indian farmers who look forward to celebrating the harvest festival of Baisakhi.

Almost 3 lakh farmers in North India including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been affected due to untimely rain and hail. Facing the apathy of state and central government that are failing to give timely compensation, rain-hit farmers are finding suicides easier than farming and irrigating.

Crop damage across 14 states

India’s wheat production is likely to decline by 4-5 per cent in the current crop year from the initial estimates of 95.76 million tonnes due to unseasonal rains. As the sales have begun since April 1, farmers have nothing to take to the wholesale markets. Besides wheat, the crop of potato, mangoes and grapes has also been adversely impacted due to unseasonable rain during February and March.